Definition
The ways humans have organized themselves for mutual support and sustainment
There have been five societal levels throughout history; the world is in transition to a sixth
Historic Characteristics
| Each societal level can coordinate more resources across more people and larger territory than earlier ones |
| When a new societal level comes along, the previous ones do not disappear altogether, rather they change form |
| The progression from one societal level to the next across the world has been uneven and erratic |
| Societal levels change when a transformative innovation comes along |
| A society that reaches a new level first becomes dominant over other societies |